Opel has taken a fall this year, three new icons: the revolutionary electric Ampera, with extended range capabilities, the new generation Zafira Tourer masterpiece, flexibility, and the new Astra GTC three-door compact sports car. Opel Astra GTC will have its world premiere at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, 15-25 September 2011.

New Opel Astra is distinguished by the sharp design and driving characteristics. Outwardly, sculpted shapes accurate accents More drama in clean, sweeping lines coupe. And on the road, all versions of the Astra GTC, the award will benefit available HiPerStrut front axle - High Performance Strut - which ideally combines the patented intelligent Opel Watts link rear axle for stability and accuracy unsurpassed sharp driving. Only very few, radical sports car segment to offer a sophisticated architecture of front-wheel drive.

"The new Astra GTC is a member of the Opel family sport," says Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Managing Director of Opel / Vauxhall. "It 'was designed and built in our facilities in the Rüsselsheim be highly desirable sport coupe with a refreshing driving performance while remaining affordable, spacious and flexible. We believe that will bring a breath of fresh air for the sport compact segment."

Astra GTC is the final design and driving dynamics. Represented 15-20% of all sales of Astra, adds the energy of a successful family of compact Opel, which increased the segment share of 8.3% in 2009, 11.4% in 2010.

Design of the muscular body structured by sharp lines of the tendon

The new Opel Astra GTC is very inspired by the Opel GTC concept car revealed at the Paris International Motor Show 2010 's in Paris. A compact five-seater sports coupe with the call and dramatic proportions, the GTC has a unique design: it does not share anything out with members of the Astra family, with the exception of the exterior mirror housing and rod antenna. Six of the seven 17 - to conceptions of 20-inch wheels are offered only features GTC.

"We wanted the Astra GTC to be the ultimate expression of sculptural art Opel design" meets German precision "and embodies our passion for the car," says Mark Adams, Vice President, Opel / Vauxhall design. "But we do not want to hide the emotions functionality Astra GTC is a dream car smart and affordable."

In profile, the designers maximized drama by limiting the amount of lines: only three to create tension and form the shape of the Opel Astra GTC. A fine, crisp lines that sweep the bottom of the door at the bottom of the rear wing and energizes the body side, the magazine of signature Opel introduced in the same direction as the Insignia. Another line encapsulates the door handle and extends to the rear, emphasizes the dramatic attitude GTC dispersing surfaces to release a large fine and a shoulder. The third line, after cleaning, sporty silhouette of the roof is finished in chrome and enhances the graphics window, which leads the eye to focus integrated spoiler.

Clean the front of the properties of the center line of a typical Opel crease, and is accented with a hard, thin-Eagle Eye headlights designed with a '"wing-shaped" graphic light. These are brackets around the subtle chrome bar code and a separate, dramatic trapezoidal grille, which is positioned lower than the runway believe suggests a sporty character.

The part of the shoulder is the area most dramatic of the Opel Astra GTC. Its powerful design gives the car an imposing presence and proportions of a very targeted way by emphasizing the low position taken off. The line of the C-pillar slips in the tail and wraps around the rear wing that is ingeniously integrated into the roof line continuously. Optional LED show stretched "winged" motif of the taillights.

Opel Astra GTC Mechatronics platform has a unique, high-tech architecture front suspension, similar to an Insignia OPC, which improves processing performance, and provide clearer guidelines that require drivers to wait for a sports car looking for.

Compared to the five-door Astra GTC ride height is calculated for 15 mm, while the basic dimensions of the substrate to grow a bit '. Because of the rear control arms extended, increasing the pitch of 10 mm, 2685 mm and 2695. Both tracks are wider at 1584 mm (+40 mm) front and 1,588 mm (+30 mm) rear. This arrangement allows the wheel of a sport to improve the diameter of the ring, which increases both the stability, the attitude of the road and the visual impact.

The biggest change is invisible to the naked eye. All Opel Astra GTC versions, regardless of the level of the powertrain and trim is equipped with an additional function that is usually available only in sports cars luxury: the front suspension with High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut). Compared to the standard suspension of the McPherson Astra kingpin inclination HiPerStrut reduced offset and a shorter length of the spindle. This improves wheel guidance and adhesion, reduces management response of torque and power increase cornering, offering the Astra GTC's sporting drivers, they expect crisp feel, with improved accuracy and feedback .

Also reduces the bridge HiPerStut flops that give the car to accommodate large diameter wheels. Until layout level glues the car to the road driving experience guarantees for all drivers even before the GTC very sporty version planned for the near future are available.

The design of the rear axle, combined with a crank of a link Watt. This ingenious construction, exclusive of Opel, has shown the many benefits of Astra already. Although it is lighter and more compact than a multilink axle, which offers comfort, excellent sound and excellent stability / control.

Opel Astra GTC chassis is designed to integrate Opel is intelligent, adaptive control system fully FlexRide chassis. This increases the stability of driving better performance management in turn and adjust automatically to road conditions, cornering speed, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Best balance of traction and vehicle also increase driving safety in an emergency. FlexRide also offers three different settings, so a change to the character of the car on demand by pressing a button you can choose any time between the balanced mode, standard comfort-oriented "Tour" mode or more active 'Sport' mode.

Fire engines to begin with - sport versions coming soon

Opel Astra GTC can be ordered just a choice of four engines - one diesel and three petrol units.

Update 2.0 CDTI common-rail diesel engine power of 121 kW/165 hp increased to is equipped with a particulate filter and six-speed manual gearbox. Opel new Start / Stop technology that reduces fuel consumption in stop and go city traffic is a standard feature. 2.0 CDTI combines excellent performance and high efficiency. Provides up to 380 Nm of torque, thanks to the overboost function allows the Astra GTC and reach 100 km / h in 8.9 seconds. The maximum speed is 210 km / h. Combined fuel consumption does not exceed 4.9 liters of diesel per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 129 g / km. 56-liter fuel tank, the Opel Astra GTC 2.0 CDTI may cover more than 1100 km.

Start / Stop is also standard with both engines turbocharged 1.4 petrol from 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp output. Both have a six-speed manual transmission, develops 200 Nm of torque and requires 5.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (139 g / km CO2). The petrol is currently leading the 132 kW/180 hp 1.6 Turbo with manual transmission with six speeds, which has a top speed of 220 km / h.

Engines will be offered multiple world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011. The sport versions, including the future of high performance OPC will follow in 2012.

Innovative techniques to improve driving pleasure and safety

Regardless of engine, driving an Opel Astra GTC is a rewarding experience thanks to its remarkable chassis. Fun - and security - can be improved by a number of innovative systems.

The second generation of the Opel Eye, a front camera system will benefit from an enhanced and expanded. Road Sign Recognition (TSR) can be identified more characters than before, and provides information on integrated navigation system of entrance. In addition to familiarity with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), the camera supports the new distance after the notification feature (IDE) to visually indicate the distance of the driver of the vehicle in front.

The new, fourth generation Advanced Bi-Xenon Lighting (AFL 4) made its debut in the Opel Astra GTC. In addition to the nine AFL + features - including the assistance of high beam that switches the headlights on and off depending on the presence of other vehicles - which can be enhanced with intelligent light system Ranging (ILR), which Opel Eye camera uses front from which to measure the distance between the vehicle ahead and adjust the beam down. This allows you to continuously optimize the lighting without blinding. With these ten functions, the GTC has the best lighting package in the segment.

Its sleek and deliberate

Compared to its competitors, Opel Astra GTC not compromise on features despite its coupe-like design. It is not only room for five people in its interior, its flexible trunk can also be 370 to 1235 liters of space - more than 200 liters more than the competition. The storage capacity in the cockpit was improved by 50% over the previous generation GTC, thanks to electric parking brake that frees up space in the center console - exactly where the storage is the most accessible.

The design of the Opel Astra GTC passenger sculpture that combines high quality and dynamic lines and distinction is reinforced by sports new fabrics, colors and decorations both in sport and enjoy the performances. MIC mixing new premium nappa leather and Alcantara applications are available. The series sport wheel with improved steering handles also highlights exciting nature of the GTC.

Suitable for all types of drivers, the front seats of the Astra GTC offers the widest range of settings in the segment. Improved ergonomic front seats with eight-way adjustment, four-way lumbar support and extension of the upper leg, certified by independent health experts back to the AGR organization (Rücker Gesunder Action - Action for Healthy Backs) is an option available with prices starting from € 390.

The Astra GTC is designed and developed by Opel in Rüsselsheim and will be built in Gliwice, Poland.